Red Shirt supporters told not to wear red

BANGKOK, Jan 31 – Pro-government activists were today discouraged from wearing red clothing to avoid violence before and during the general elections, scheduled for Sunday.

Thida Thavornseth, leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said she received a report regarding unscrupulous people possibly wearing red outfits feigning to be UDD members in creating unrest – an activity that could eventually lead to a coup.

She called on UDD core leaders to refrain from violent activity and vowed to strongly support the election.

Ms Thida expressed sympathy to farmers who have not been paid for the rice they sold under the rice pledging scheme and criticised some commercial banks for refusing to extend loans for the government’s payment.

“UDD members will stage protests against those banks on behalf of farmers countrywide after the election,” she said.

UDD core leader Yossawaris Chuklom, better known for his comedian name as Jeng Dokjik, demanded that anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban stop charging the Shinawatra family with corruption.

He said UDD members in metropolitan Nonthaburi province will campaign against a coup and any protester insurrection along with urging people to go to the polls on Sunday.

They will hold candle-lighting activities at provincial halls in Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan this evening, he said.

In the eastern coastal town of Pattaya, UDD activists will gather at Bang Lamung police station to show their support for the police.

Weng Tochirakarn, a top UDD leader, said an election is aimed at protecting the democratic system and it is the duty of the Thai people to exercise their voting rights as well as preventing any attempt to disrupt the polls.

He warned that the anti-election movement is a violation of both the election and criminal laws.